FIRST IN HISTORY

The year 2021 is going to end soon. It is time to take stock of progress in sports as well. We will tell you about one of the most successful Azerbaijani athletes of the past year. Definitely, karateka Irina Zaretskaya will remember 2021 full of unforgettable victories. Not only did Zaretskaya become a silver medallist of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, but she also won the world and European championships. So, please welcome the silver medallist of the Tokyo Olympic Games, two-time world and European champion Irina ZARETSKAYA (68 kg).

"With your gold medal taken at the world championship in Dubai, you are the most realistic candidate to be chosen as the best athlete of the year in Azerbaijan. How do you feel as a two-time world champion?"

"Becoming a world champion was one of my main goals this year. It is a wonderful feeling to compete in the last competition of the year, prove once again that I am the best in my category, and listen to the anthem of Azerbaijan. Becoming a world champion is a huge success at any age, at any time."

"Let's remember the world championship. Who was your most difficult rival to defeat?"

"Basically, all opponents at any world championship are qualified as principal rivals. There were those who were better than me or those that I defeated in most cases. So, it was not easy to tune in to victory and choose the right tactics. The bouts with the Ukrainian athlete Galina Melnik and the Austrian Alisa Buchinger were quite tense. I defeated the latter with a large score in the finals of the 1st European Games in Baku in 2015. The last fight with her was also successful for me—I had an early victory and finished the fight with 10:3. My opponent even had to stop the fight 12 seconds earlier, as she could not do anything."

"What can you say about the final match against the Italian Silvia Semeraro?"

"The final match was also important. I lost to her at the Karate1 Premier League tournament held in Moscow. During the month before the world championship, I have seriously worked to eliminate my mistakes and made my way to the finals. I never thought about losing.”

"Usually, after the Olympic Games, prominent athletes prefer not to join competitions and have some rest, at least until the end of the year. After getting the silver medal in Tokyo, you took part in the world championship and improved your results getting the gold medal..."

"Unlike other sports, the karate world championships are biennial events. I could not miss such a competition. Also, the last time we took part in the world championship back in 2018. I also won a gold medal there. In short, we have been without medals for three years. I also think that I was deprived of my chance to get the gold medal of the Tokyo Olympic Games because of the referees. That’s why I was quite encouraged to take part in the world championship. I proved to everyone that in this weight category I am the best. I am the first athlete in the history of karate to become a two-time world champion."

"What was the main reason why you finished the second in Tokyo?"

"Any medal awarded at the Olympic Games is a tremendous success. But the final stage of the competition was an injustice against me. I was ready to win then. I am sorry that it didn't work the way I expected. Karate was introduced in the Olympics program first time in history. I don’t know how it will turn out in the future. I just wanted to go down in history as an Olympic champion."

"You are considered one of the main candidates to be chosen as the best athlete of the year in Azerbaijan. Do you think you deserve this title?"

"I have devoted the last three years of my life to preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games. I have trained seriously twice a day. I have also been on diet and sleep regimen, did my best to be a winner. This year I also became a European champion. If they choose me, it means I deserve the title."

"Sometimes, after major accomplishments, athletes think about retirement. What about you?"

"My victories encourage me even more. I am still young, I will continue my career. If karate is re-introduced in the Olympic Games, I will definitely join the competition. I also discussed this with my head coach. After Tokyo, nothing worries me, nothing scares me. It was the highest level. After that you feel self-confidence, that you can beat any opponent on the tatami. When I remember the Olympic Games, I feel as if I have left something unfinished."

"Karate was part of the Olympics program for the first and most likely the last time. Does it bother you that your favourite sport will be out of the competition program?"

"Every sport takes time and effort. When I watched the karate performances during the Olympic Games, I realised that this sport was very beautiful and spectacular. It is such a shame that karate is not included in the Paris Games. I believe that in 2028 in Los Angeles karate will again return to the Olympics program."

"The attitude towards female karate athletes is not always unambiguous. What is the first reaction when they learn that you are an Olympic medallist in karate?"

"People do not have a complete understanding of karate. Some think that we are still breaking boards with our heads. But karate is not a specific oriental type of combat, but a modern sport. Karate requires speed and dexterity. As to the first reaction of people, it is different. Sometimes, when they hear that I am the world and European champion, they are surprised. Some cannot imagine a woman in a combat sport."

"What are your plans for the future?"

"Finally, I can have some good rest. After the New Year, I will begin preparations for the SportAkkord World Martial Arts Games, which will be held next summer. I have got a license to join this competition. I think the National Karate Federation will do everything to ensure my participation and gold victory in the tournament."